University research and expertise can benefit your business and there are several ways in which a company of any size can work with the university to develop research. These include:
Collaborative research is where university researchers work with the public, private or voluntary sector organisation on a shared problem. Collaborative research tends to be more fundamental than contract research with industry and university staff working alongside each other on a research project. Collaborative research can be co-funded by business and the University, or a public sector body such as a Research Council.
Contract research takes place when a business pays the university to undertake research on its behalf. The business will play no active role in the research other than the commissioning of it. Contract research is often used by companies interested in specific pieces of near-market research and testing.
Consultancy services - offering expert advice and analysis.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) is a partnership between the university and an external organisation which allows one or more high calibre Associates (recently qualified people) to work on a project, which is core to the strategic development of the business.
The West of Scotland KTP Centre will help businesses to identify an academic or researcher who has the right expertise to assist the business. A project will be defined and agreed that will enable the company to draw on the academic expertise and apply it to the business. The agreed project could be for any length of time between one and three years, with the overall aim of helping the business make a step change in an area that has been identified as high priority.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships enable the transfer of knowledge between businesses and the university. They are part-funded by Government and aim to strengthen the productivity, competitiveness, wealth creation and economic performance of the UK.
Projects which are eligible for KTP funding include working with the University to help businesses improve existing products, develop new products, streamline a manufacturing process, improve logistics processes or develop a marketing strategy.
For more information or to make an enquiry about Research Services, please contact Research & Innovation at the University of Strathclyde.